Capping machine



Oct. 22, 1957 G. H. DIMOND ed Feb. 8, 1955 INVENTOR. George J'ZT Dz'mand Oct. 22, 1957 G. H. DIMOND CAPPING MACHINE "Filed Feb. 8, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 v IN VEN TOR.

G'eo rrye .71. z5wanc( BY G. H. DIMOND 2,810,248

CAPPING MACHINE 4 Shee'ts-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 8, 1955 INVE1YTOR. 1 Geoz:ge]f. zmamz BY y Oct. 22, 1957 G. H. DIMOND CAPPING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheej: 4

Filed Feb. 8, 1955 United States Patent O 2,s1o,24s CAPPING MACHINE George H. Dimond, East Aurora, N. Y., assignor to Consolidated Paclkagiug Machinery Corporation, Buifalo, N. Y., a corporation f New York Application February 8, 1955, Serial N0. 486,949 14 Claims. (C1. 53306) This invention relates in general to a capping machine, and particularly to a new and useful cap-rectifying er cap-orienting mechanism for such machines which is adaptecl to receive a continuous supply cf successively presented caps regardless cf whether or not they are properly oriented as to face direction and to efiect orientation cf any mis-oriented caps that may be presented so that all caps Will be with their open or concave sides in the same direction.

Many cap-sorting and feeding machines have been heretofore employed to present caps o1 container elosures t0 a position in which they could thereafter be handled by suitable closure-applying devices without furtner manipulation. Such machines, however, have been found impractical for use with shallow caps having a large diameter to depth ratio, particularly those With diameters greater than about 2 /2 hohes, because they would operate at speeds 100 slow for comrnercial acceptance, or would jam.

The present invention overcomes these disadvantages by providing a capping machine with a cap-orienting mechanism capable of feecling properly oriented caps of varying diameters and depth ratios at much higher speeds than has been possible heretofore. The orienting means includes a sensing finger which is inserted into the open portions of successively fed, properly oriented caps or into contact With the closed faces of improperly oriented caps in which case the sensing finger becomes efiective to initiate rotation of the caps, and cooperating devices thereafter rotate such caps through the rernainder of 180 to their properly oriented position. The operation of the orienting means is, of course, synchronized with apparatus on the machine for applying the caps to successively presented containers.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a capping machine having improved means for reliably feeding and orienting caps in proper synchronization for subsequent attachment to successively presented containers.

It is a further object to provide a novel high speed rectifier for caps wherein reliable sensing means acting in conjunction with fast rotating means serve to rotate incorrectly oriented caps 180 into correct orientation.

A further object is to provide a high speed cap rectifier for controlling the feeding of caps to a capping ma chine nad having sensing means for detecting incorrectly oriented caps and for actuating devices which eflect their rotation through 180 into correct orientation while the capping machine is operating continuously.

A further object of this invention is to provide a cap rectifier or cap-orienting means which is simple in design, rugged in construction and inexpensive to manufacture and which Will increase the productive capacity of a capping machine.

For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying dr awirigs 2 and descriptive.matter in which is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a somewhat schematic perspective view of a container-capping machine including a cap-orienting or rectifying mechanism constructed in accordance With this invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged horizontal 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevation, partly in section, taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevation, partly taken along line 44 of Fig. 2;

Fig, 5 is a vertical transverse section taken along line 55 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary elevation, partly in section, similar to Fig. 3, but illustrating additional details of the cap-rotating charnber;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary top plan view taken along the line 7--7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7, but showing the parts after a cap has been rotated through Fig. 9 is a view generally similar to Fig. 6, but showing the parts midway through a cycle of cap rotation;

Fig. 10 is a vertical section taken on the line 10-10 of Fig. 8; and

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary top plan taken along the Iine 11-11 of Fig. 9.

Referring t0 the drawings in detail, the invention as illustrated is embodied in a machine for sorting and orienting caps and thereafter placing them onto the tops of successively presented containers.

In general the machine comprises a base A upon which the remaining mechanism are mounted and which coutains driving mechanisrns for operating a capping turret B and a cap rectifienor eap-orienting means C. An intake and discharge conveyor D extends outwardly from both ends of the base A and is provided with guide rails and a moving belt conveyor to direct a series cf comtainers to rotary means for m oving thdm into the c'aPping turret B and then t the discharge portion 0f the conveyor D. The caps f0r the containers are dumped into the top of a hopper 10 which is mounted over a feedef E, held on a colurnn 11 which is adjustably afiixed to the base A. The feeder E is provided with a rotating disc inside a volute casing which acts in a kn0wn manner to agitate the caps sn that they will feed into 'a chute 12 -at the bottom of the volute casing. The operation of the cap feeding device is such as t o maintain an ample supply of unoriented caps within-the chute 12.

The caps are diseharged from the chute 12 in alignment withthe cap rectifier C which acts t o orient each mi's-oriented cap t0 a eorrectly facing position before the cap is picked up by the usual picker fingers 011 a cap transfer table or disc- 13. The transfer table 13 n1oves eaeh cap with its open face downwa' rd through an arc which intersects the arc cf travel of ehucks 14 of the capping t urre B. The chucl;s operate in a known manner to pick up the succ essively presented caps from the table 13 and then place them onto containers which are passing underneath each chuck as each moves about in the rotating arc* f the chuck. In the event that there is no container in alignment undernea th the chuck the section taken on line in section,

ehuck will continue to rotate until it comes alongside a discharge chute 16 where the cap Will be released. The

and keY connectionsindicated at 22, Theshft18 is*rqtated hy mechanisms (not shown) in the hase A and supports the cap rectifier C through the cap transfer tahle 13. A mounting annulus or cover ring 24 is carried upon a peripheral ledge formed in the edge of the cap transfer table 13 hut is held from rotation with respect thereto by an adjustahly positioned rod 26 (see Fig. 2). The rod 26 extends through a projection on one end of the cover ring 24 and is adjustably fastened at each of its ends by clamps 28 and 30. The clamp 28 is fastened to an arm 34 which extends to an upstanding stud 36 mounted on the hase A. The clamp is secured to an arm 38 which is fastened to the underside of a stationary ring cam 44 fitted into an annular groove 40 formed in the lower surface of the cap transfer tahle 13 and maintained therein by screws 41 -passing through a hearing ring 42 which contacts the under face cf the ring cam to per.mit relative rotation of the cap transfer tahle.

The cap-feeding disc 13 is provided adjacent its periphery with a series of openings 45 (see Fig. 10) in each of which is mounted a picker finger 46. Each finger 46 is carried hy a radially disposed pivot pin 47. The fingers 46 have formed thereon upwardly projecting portions which serve t0 engage the caps and downwardly projecting portions which serve as cam followers which rlde on the ring cam 44. The fingers 46 are effective t0 remove successive caps from the orienting mechanism C and to control advance of each cap until it is picked up hy one of the chucks 14. A portion of the ring cam 44 is relieved so that it does n0t support the fingers 46 during the latterspath of travel frorn a position prior to the point of cap engagernent hy the chuck 14 to a position immediately hefore the discharge of the cap-orienting mechanism C. Therefore, during this portion of finger travel they pivot hy gravity to a position helow the surface of the cap transfer table 13. l

The upper face of the cap transfer table 13 is provided with a collar portion about which an immer guide 48 is placed. A complementary outer guide 48 is secured to the cover ring 24 as hy screws 48'. These guides direct caps along a path of travel which intersects that of the capping chucks 14. The inner guide 48 is anchored against rotation hy an arm which extends from it to the cover ring 24 and is pin-connected thereto.

The cap transfer tahle 13 is provided around its periphery with gear teeth which mesh with a small gear 49 mounted on an upwardly extending shaft 50 rotatahly carrled by a pedestal 54 secured to the cover ring 24 at one side of the cap transfer tahle 13. A friction faced wheel 52 is aflixed to the upper end of the shaft 50. Intermediate the height of the pedestal 54 and supported -therehy is a laterally extending tahle 56 provided with an upstanding pivot stud 58. A plate 60 forms part of the table 56 and is provided with three peripherally grooved rollers 62 mounted at spacecl points around a circular path which rotatahly support a disc 63 having a diameter and heing posltioned such that one edge portion underlies the friction face of the wheel 52. The disc 63 includes an upstanding portion of reduced diameter provided with diametrically opposed notches 64 and 65 which are alternately positioned at the point of tangency with the wheel 52 and when in such position permit continued rotation cf the wheel 52 without causing the disc 63 to be driven thereby. The disc 63 is provided with a centrally disposed rectangular slot over which is mounted a frame or chamber 66. Caps entering the chamher are therehy rotated 180 if improperly oriented, as will he hereinafter more fnlly descrihed.

The plate 60 is provided with an opening 67a disposed in vertical alignrnent with the frame 66 and which is shaped as a large rectangle, of a size slightly greater than the cap diameter, superimposed on a circle (see Fig. 11). A cap discharge guide element 67 depends from the plate 60 in association with the opening 67a and includes vertical side Walls and a back wall which is slightly inclined in the direction of cap feeding at the hottom. A detent 4 68, which is hiased towards a closed position hy a spring 69 (see Figs. 3, 4 and 10) spans the front of the guide element 67 and is pivotally carried therehy.

In accordance with the present invention means are provided to ascertain whether caps entering the chamber 66 are properly oriented and, in the event they are not, to rcrtate them 180. In order to achieve this a cam 70 is rigidly affixed to the upper end of the shaft 50. A roller cam follower 71 operatively engaging the cam 70 is rotatably carried at one end cf an arm 72 of a hell crank 73 pivotally mounted on the stud 58. Another arm 74 of the hell crank 73 extends in a direction generally opposite to that of the arm 72 and is provlded at its unter end with a hoss 75 having an elongated slot 76 disposed with its major axis at right angles to the radius of the arm 74. A second hell crank 77 underlies the hell crank 73 and includes a short arm 78 which underlies the arm 74 cf the hell crank 73 and is connected thereto hy a clamp holt 79 which extends upwardly through the elongated openlng 76 in -the hoss 75. Another arm 80 cf the hell crank 77 extends generally at right angles to the arm 78 thereof and is provided at its outer end with a roller detent 81 which is adapted to he moved into and out of engagement with the peripheral notches 64 and 65 on the disc 63.

A tension spring 82 extends hetween the outer end of clamp holt 79 and a stud 83 secured to the plate 60 and constantly tends to rotate the hell cranks 77 and 73 in a counterclockwise direction ahout the stud 58.

The normal osition of the hell cranks 77 and 73 is as shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings. Clockwise rotation of the cam 70 to the high lift position shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings efiects a clockwise oscillation of the hell cranks 77 and 73 to lift the detent roller 81 carrled hy the arm 80 out of. its engagement with the adjacent peripheral notch of the disc 63. The disc 63 thus hecomes free for rotary movement once such movement ls instituted hy cap orientation sensing devices, as will he hereinafter more fully descrihed.

These sensing devices include a rock shaft 84 pivotally mounted intermediate the encls 0f the arm 72 of the hell crank 73. The upper end of the rock shaft 84 is provided With a laterally extending arm 85 t0 which is sonnectecl one end 0f a spring 86 having its other end counectecl to a lug 87 secured to the arm 72 adjacent the pivot stud 58. A stud 88 projects upwardly from the arm 72 and is disposed adjacent the rock arm 85 wherehy to serve as an abutment which llmits counterclockwise oscillation of the rock shaft 84.

The lower end 0f the rock shaft 84 is provided with a sensing finger 89 extending in a direction towards engage ment with the frame 66 and is of a length such that it is projectahle into the chamher portion of the frame 66 for cap orientation-determining purposes. lt Will be noted from Fig. 6 of the drawings that the rotary frame 66 ls notched at its ends to permit reception of the end of the sensing finger 89.

As each cap drops down from the chute 12 into the chamher of the frame 66 lt does so in synchronization with the rotatlon cf the cam 70 and oscillation of the hell cranks 73 and 77. Thus as the cam follower 71 approaches a lift ortion of the cam 70 the rock shaft 84 and its sensing finger 89 are moved hodily toward the rotary frame 66. If a cap within the chamher portlon of the frame 66 i-s posltioned with its open side faclng the sensing finger the sensing finger will penetrate to a portion of the depth of: the cap without actually contacting any of the material of the cap. However, if the cap is positloned in the frame memher 66 with its closed face lowarcls the sensing finger the sensing finger will contact the closed portion of the cap at one edge thercof, simul taneously with the dlsengagement of the detent roller 81 from whichever of the peripheral notches 64 or 65 of the disc 63 with which it l1ad heen engaged Cominued movement of the sensing finger as the hell crank arm 72 reaches its clockwisc limit of oscillation imparts a slight counterclockwise rotation of the disc 63 (see Fig. 7) so that the peripheral notch 65 (er 64 as the case may be) is displaced away from the point of tangency With the friction faced wheel 52 and the peripheral portion of the disc 63 is moved into driven contact with the friction faced wheel 52. Rotation of the disc 63 and the frame 66 carried thereby continues through 180 at which time the opposlte perlpheral notch 64 (er 65 as the case may be) is brought into alignment with the point of tangency with the friction faced wheel 52 and simultaneously the detent roller 81 drops into engagement with the opposite peripheral notch as the hell cranks 73 and 77 have oscillated in a counterclockwise direction under control of the carn 70. In this manner an incorrectly oriented cap is rotated through 180 to its correctly oriented osition and is then free to drop down into the discharge element 67 after the cap positioned imrnediately therebelow has become removed. lt Will be noted that during rotation of the disc 63 and its associated frame 66 through 180 there will be a time during which the projecting end of the sensing finger 89 is disposed in the path of travel of the frame 66. A lateral edge portion of any cap which is supported Within the frame actually contacts the end of the scnsing finger and causes it to be displaced against the biasing action of the spring 86, and after the cap has been moved out cf contact With the sensing finger the sensing finger snaps back to its normal position at which the rock arm abuts the stud 88.

The operation of the machine is as follows: Caps 'a1e dumped into the hopper 10 and the feeder E delivers a series of caps to the chute 12 without orienting the caps as to facing direction. The caps feed by gravity from the chute 12 into the orienting mechanism C in which caps feed in succession into the frame 66.

The sensing finger 89 under the influence of the cam 70 constantly moves into and out of the side of the frame 66 so that all caps feeding through the frame with their open side toward the sensing finger 89 are not disturbed as the finger enters into the open side of and withdraws from each successive cap. Whenever a cap is misoriented, i. e., has its back toward the sensing finger 89 as the cap moves into the charnber 66, the sensing finger, under the influencc of the carn 70, Will slightly rotate the cap and, consequently, the disc 63, until the unter periphery of the disc 63 moves into contact With the fast-rotating friction-faced wheel 52. This fast-rotating wheel will engage the disc 63 and rotate it 180, at which point it Will be stopped by the roller detent 81 engaging the notch 64 or 65, as the case may bes, and driving contact between the wheel 52 and the disc 63 is discontinued.

It will be appreciated that in Order to have the orienting mechanism operate on a cap in the frarne 66 another cap must be present in the discharge passage 67 to support the one in the charnber 66 long enough to permit the sensing finger 89 to check its orientation and rotate it 180 if incorrectly orientcd.

The caps fall downwardly in the orientlng mechanism one position as each lowermost cap is stripped 01T in succession by the picker fingers 46 on the transfer table 13. The caps are moved around on the transfer table 13 until they are picked up by the capping chucks 14 which are arranged for suitable motions necessary to engage a cap as it is moved along the transfer table 13 into an cxposed position away frorn the Walls of the guides 48. While the chucks are thus moving containers are fed by the conveyor D and star wheel mechanisrn (not shown) to positions in underneath alignment With each successive chuck. Thereupon the chucks 14 are rotated (in this instance) into proper dire.ction to screw the caps upon the containers. When the capping operation is complete the chucks are raised from engagcment With the caps and the containers are fully rotated to the conveyor discharge.

While a specific ernbodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application ofthe invention principles, it will be understood that the invention maybe e1'nbodied otherwise without depa'rting from such principles.

I clairn:

1. A device to feed caps With their open o1 concave sides aligned in one predeterrnined direction, comprising: a rotatable cap chamber having an entrance and a discharge large enough to perrnit the free passage of caps therethrough, means to introduce a series cf caps in succession into said rotatable cap chamber, mechanically operable cap alignrncnt sensing rneans positioned adjacent said cap chamber, and rneans responsive to said sensing rneans to rotate said rotatable cap chamber whenever a cap.therein is not aligned in said predetermined direction.

2. A device to feed caps with their open or concave sides aligned in one predetermined direction, comprising: a rotatable rectangularly cross-sectioned cap chamber having an entrance and a discharge large enough to permit the free passage of caps therethrough, rneans to introduce a series of caps in succession into said rotatable cap chamher, mechanically operablc cap alignrnent sensing means positioned adjacent one of the longer sides of said rotatable chamber, means responsive to said sensing means to rotate said rotatable cap chamber 180 whenever a cap therein is not aligned in said predetermined direction and means to withdraw the caps from the discharge of said rotatable cap chamber.

3. A device to feed caps with their open or concave sides aligned in one predetermined direction, com-prising: a disc rotatable about a vertical axis, a rectangularly cross-sectioned cap charnber mounted on said disc and provided with an entrance and a discharge large enough to permit the free passage of caps therethrough, means f01' introducing a series of caps in succession into said cap chamber, separately mounted mechanically operable cap alignment sensing rneans positioned adjacent said cap charnber and effective to enter into and withdraw from said cap chamber and to contact only the caps with their backs facing said means and to initiate rotary motion of said cap chamber and its mounting disc, and means thereafter effective to continue rotation of said disc and cha-rnber through 180.

4. A device to feed caps with their open or concave sides aligned in one predetermined direction, comprising: a rectangularly cross-sectioned cap chamber provided With a top and bottom opening large enough to permit the free passage of caps therethrough, rneans for introducing a series of caps into said cap chamber, a horizontally positioncd rotatable disc secured to the bottom of said cap chamber and having an opening therein in alignment with the discharge of said cap chamber, said disc being notched at opposite sides thereof, a continuously rotating friction-faced wheel positioned close to said disc With a portion cf the outer periphery thereof rotating within one of the notches on said disc without touching said disc, sensing means being operable when a misaligned cap is in said cap chamber to rotate said cap chamberand said disc slightly whereby to move the outer face of said disc into the position previously occupied by one of the notches thereon and into driving contact with said continuously rotating friction-faced wheel so as to be turned thereby until the notch on the opposite side of said disc comes adjacent to said wheel to interrupt driving contact between said disc and said wheel. means to retain each cap in said chamber during one cycle cf operation of said sensing means, and n1eans to withdraw said caps.

5. A device to feed caps with their open 0r concave sides aligncd in one predetermined direction, comprising: a horizontally positioned rotatable disc having an opening therein and provided with notches at opposite sides thereof, a rectangularly cross-sectioned cap chamber mounted on said disc and provided with a top and bottom opening aligned With the opening on said disc karge enough to permit the free passage of caps therethrough, a continuously rotating friction-faced wheel positioned close to said disc with a portion of the unter periphery thereof rotating within one of the notches on said disc and without touching the outer face of said disc, a cantinuously rotating carn, means controllable by said cam to initiate rotation of said disc wl1ereby to move said disc into driving contact with said wheel and to perrnit rotation thereof through 180, and n1eans to retain each cap in said chamber during each cycle of operation of said controllable means.

6. A device to feed caps with their open or concave sides aligned in one predetermined direction, comprising: a horizontally positioned rotatable disc having an opening therein and provided with notches at opposite sides theref, a rectangularly cross-sectioned cap chamber rnounted on said disc and provided with a top and bottom open-- ing aligned With the opening on said disc large enough to permit the free passage of caps therethrough, a continuously rotating friction-faced wheel positioned close to said disc with a portion cf the outer periphery thereof rotating within one cf the notches on said disc and without touching the outer face of said disc, a continuously rotating cam, a sensing finger positioned adjacent said chamber and being operable in response to said cam to enter into and withdraw from said chamber, said sensing finger being eflective during its upward movement to comtact the back side of each incorrectly facing cap to turn said chamber and said disc whereby to move the outer periphery c;f said disc into driving engagernent with the face of said wheel for 180 rotation thereby.

7. A container capping machine comprising: means for successively presenting a series of containers in properly timed relaticn, a rotatable cap chamber having ar1 entrance and a discharge, means to ii1troduce a series of unoriented caps into said cap chamber, cap alignment sensing n1eans positioned adjacent said cap chamber, rneans responsive to said sensing means to rotate said chamber 180 whenever a cap therein is incorrectly aligned, means thereafter efiective to move each cap through a predetcrrnined path, and capping means operable I0 intersect the path of each cap and to engage -it and place it onto one of the successively presented comtainers.

8. A container capping machine comprising: a con tinuously rotating capping turret means for successively presenting a series of containers to said turret in properly timed relation, a rotatable cap chamber having an entrance and a discharge, means to introduce a series of unoriented caps into said cap chamber, cap alignment sensing means positioned adjacent said cap chamber, means responsive to said sensing means to rotate said chamber 180 whenever a cap therein is incorrectly aligned, means thereafter effective to move each cap through a predetermined path, and capping means on said capping turret operable to intersect the path of each cap and to engage it and place it onto one of the successively prcsented containers.

9. A container capping machine comprising: a comtinuously rotating capping turret, means for successively presenting a series cf containers to said turret in properly timed relation, a disc rotatable about a vertical axis, a rectangularly cross-sectioned cap chamber mounted 011 said disc and provided with an entrance and a discharge, means fcr introducing a series of unoriented caps into said chamber, separately mounted cap-alignment sensing means positioned adjacent said cap chamber and operable to enter into and withdraw from the concave portions of correctly aligned caps and to contact the back face of any incorrectly aligned cap in said charnber whereby to initiate rotary motion cf: said cap chamber and its mounting disc, means thereafter effective to continue rotation of said disc and said chamber through 180, means projectablc into the open side of each successive cap after it drops by gravity out cf said chamber whereby t0 Withdraw each cap from the orienting station and to move each cap through a predetermined path, and capping means 0n said capping turret operable to intersect the path 0f each cap and to engage it and place it onto one of the successively presented containers.

10. A container capping machine comprising, a Con- 'I1I1OUSIY rotating capping turret, means for successively presenting a series cf containers to said turret in properly timed relation, a disc rotatable about a vertioal axis, a cap chamber mounted on said disc and provided with an entrance and a discharge, means to introduce a series of unoriented oaps into said chamber, cap alignment sensing rneans positioned adjacent said cap chamber and operable to enter into and withdraw from the concave portions of correctly aligned caps in said cap chamber and to contnct the back face of any incorrectly aligned in said chamber whereby to initiate rotary motion of said cap charnber and its mounting disc, means thereafter effective to coutinue rotation of said disc and chamber through a rotating cap transfer table, rneans for moving said caps leaving said cap charnber discharge to positions with their open sides resting upon the upper surfiace of said cap transfer table, and capping means on said capping turret operable to intersect the path cf each cap on said table and to engage the cap and place it onto a respective container.

11. A container capping machine comprising, a comtinuonsly rotating capping, turret, means for successively presenting a series of containers to said turret in properly timed relation, a disc having notches at opposite sides thereof and a hole therein and being rotatable about a vertical axis, a rect-angularly cross-sectioned cap chamber mounted on said disc and provided With a top and bottom opening aligned with the hole in said disc and being large enough to permit the free passage cf caps therethrough under the action of gravity, means for introducing a series of caps to said chamber, a continuously rotating frictionfaced driving wheel positioned close t0 said disc with a portion of the outer periphery thereof normally rotating within one of the notches on said disc and in the same plane as said disc, a sensing finger being operable to move into and withdraw from said chamber and being effective during said movement to contact the flat back side of only caps incorrectly aligned in said chamber to thereby turn the cap and said chamber and said disc slightly to displace the notch portions of said disc and t0 cause said friction faced wheel to engage the periphery 0f said disc and to rotate said disc 180, and operable to enter into and withdraw from the concave portions of correctly aligned caps, means to retain each cap in said chamber during one cycle of operation of said sensing means, means to move each cap leaving said chambcr through a predeterrnined path, and capping means on said capping turnt operable to intersect the path of each cap,

to engage it and place it onto a respective container.

12. A container capping machine comprising, a comtinuously rotating capping turret, means for successively presenting a series of containers to said tun-et in properly tirned relation, a disc rotatable about a vertical axis and having a central opening therein and provided with curved notches cut inwardly at diametrically opposite positions on the periphery thereof, a rectangularly cross-sectioned chamber mounted 0n said disc and provided with top and bottom openings large enough to permit the free passage cf caps therethrough under the action of gravity, means for introducing a series of caps to said charnber, a continuously rotating friction-faced driving wheel positioned close to said disc with a portion of the outer periphery thereof rotating within one of the notches on said disc and in the same plane as said disc, a continuously rotating cam, means controlled by said cam for cyclically engaging and disengaging the other of the notches on said disc during one portion cf cum travel whereby to alternately prevent and permit rotation of said disc, a sensing finger operable in synchronization with said engaging and disengaging means to move into and withdraw from said chamber and heing effective during said movement to contact thc flat back side of any cap misaligned in said chamber and thereby turn the cap, said chamber and said disc slightly to displace the notch portions on said disc and to cause said friction-faced wheel to engage and turn said disc 180, means to retain each cap in said chamber during one cycle of operation of said sensing means, mcans operahle on each successive cap after it drops out of said chamber to move it through a predetcrmined path, and capping mcans on said capping turret operahlc to intcrsect the path of each cap, to engage it and place it onto a respective container.

13. A device to feed caps with their open or concave sides aligned in one predetcrmined direction comprising: a disc rotatahle ahout a vertical axis and having an opcning therein and being provided with notches at opposite sides thereof, a rectangularly cross-sectioned cap chamber p10vided with top and bottom openings and a passageway in alignrncnt with the opening on said disc large enough to permit thc free assage cf caps therethrough, mcans for introducing a scries cf caps into said cap chamber, a continuously rotating friction-faced wheel positioned close to said disc with a portion of the outer periphery thereof rotating within one of thc notches of said disc without touching said disc, a continuously rotating cam, a hell crank pivotally mounted in proximity to said disc and including a first arm provided at its outer and with a cam follower maint-ained in engagement With said cam and a second arm provided at its outcr and with a roller detent engageable in the notches cf said disc whereby to prevent or to perrnit rotation thereof, sensing means secured to the intermediate portion of the first arm cf said hell crank and being eflective to move infco and withdraw frorn said chamber to contact the flat back side of any misaligned cap and thereby to turn said chamber and said disc slightly to displace thc notch portions on said disc and to cause said friction-faced wheel to engage and turn said disc 180, and means to retain each cap in said chamber during one cycle cf operation of said sensing means.

14. A container capping machine comprising: a cantinuously rotating capping turret, means for successively presenting a series cf containers to said turret in properly timed relation, a disc rotatahle ahout a vertical axis and having a central opening thercin and a notch cut inwardly at diametrically opposite positions on the periphery thereof, a rectangularly cross-sectioned chamher mounted 011 said disc and provided With top and hottom openings large enough to permit the free passage of caps therethrough under the action cf gravity, means for introducing a series of caps to said chamher, a continuously rotating friction-faced driving wheel positioned close to said disc with a portion of the unter periphcry thereof rotating Within one of the notches on said disc and in the same plane as said disc, a coutinuously rotating cam, a hell crank pivotally mounted in proxirnity to said disc and including a first arm provided at its outer end with a cam follower maintained in engagement with said cam and a second arm provided at its outer and with a roller detcnt engageahle in thc notches of said disc wherehy to prevent or to perrnit rotation thereof, sensing means secured to the intermediate portion of the first arm cf said hell crank and heing effective to move into and withdraw from said chamber to contact the flat back side of any misaligned cap and therehy to turn said chamber and said disc slightly to displace the notch portions 011 said disc and to cause said friction-faced wheel to engage and turn said disc and means to retain each cap in said chamber during one cycle of operation of said sensing means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,679918 Vargo et a1. Inne 1, 1954 2693,872 Baader Nov. 9, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 51,975 Denmark Aug. 3, 1936 148,992 Australia Nov. 12, 1952 

